Category: Beer

Beer makes the world go around. It has since before the advent of agriculture. In fact, it’s the reason for agriculture, according to some sources. Even if you don’t believe that, it’s not hard to believe that it’s been around for centuries and it’s never going away. Let’s not pretend we don’t want to know all about it.

You’re drinking on Valentine’s Day anyway, might as well drink what I tell you

Valentine’s Day. A day of love or heartbreak, a day of happiness or sadness – no matter how you feel about this day, it can only lead to one thing – drinking.

No, I don’t mean you should get blasted and cry into your beer, although maybe that’s what you’re into, and if so, just don’t drive or drink too much over your limit. I love you and care about what happens to you. What? No, sorry, I already have plans for Valentine’s Day.

What I mean is that inevitably, Valentine’s Day leads to drinking. Whether that means beer and pizza with Netflix and chill, or wine at a fancy restaurant, there’s an element of boozing with your loving.

The key, of course, is to find something great to drink with whatever you’re doing. I am here to recommend a handful of options so you can celebrate properly on this wonderful, terrible day.

Wine

Wine is an essential component of Valentine’s. The best part about wine is that you can drink it no matter what you’re plans are. Dinner plans? I’ll have wine with that. Out for drinks? Try a wine bar. Staying in for dinner? Wine please. Galentine’s day? Umm, wine, obviously.

I recently received a bottle of Donnafugata Sedåra 2014, a Sicilia Doc Rosso (for free, full disclosure) and I have to say, it impressed. Tart and fruity but gentle, it struck me as a versatile red for any occasion. In other words, no matter what your dinner plans – pizza, pasta, steak, or even barbecue – pour yourself a glass of this.

I also believe it would pair very well with chocolate, so while you’re gazing into your lover’s eyes and shoving desserts like chocolate covered strawberries or chocolate truffles into each other’s mouths, wash it down with some Sedåra.

But wait, what about hanging out with the girls? Yes, it will also work nicely for that. Your friends will be impressed that you have scored an Italian wine, and you will all enjoy the soft tannins and strawberry and plum notes.

Donnafugata Sedåra 2014 is not only a great choice for all your needs on Valentine’s Day, it’s also affordable. Approximately $18 a bottle, it won’t break the bank, allowing you to impress your date with wine AND something sparkly (hint, hint, Adrian).

Sparkling Wine

Just get whatever you can afford, yeah? No seriously. Sometimes that expensive stuff isn’t as good (or is only as good) as the mid-range option, and unless one of you cares about labels, get whatever is best for you. (Or, if you want to be tricksy, make your own label with you and your lover’s name on it, and they’ll think it’s so sweet, they won’t care you bought a $5 brut from Walgreens. PS, don’t buy a $5 brut from Walgreens unless that’s all you can afford.)

Beer

I don’t know about you, but I say, pull out some stouts on V-day. There are so many different stouts available that you are bound to find one that works for you and whoever you’re spending time with on V-day. Chocolate stouts, coffee stouts, oatmeal, dry, imperial, sweet, and all the nitro stouts you can think of pair well with chocolate, girl’s night, guy’s night, red meat (is that the same as guy’s nights?), and just chilling at home or at the bar. It’s also cold. SO cold. What warms you up better than a lovely dark beer with a smooth finish? Not even the love of your life, no matter what day of the year.

Cocktails

What is more romantic than a classy old fashioned? I challenge you to find something better. An old fashioned is meant to be sipped, served with a cherry, and makes the drinker exude confidence. Enjoyed by both men and women, with any whiskey you choose (although Bulleit Rye is my personal favorite), it’s the perfect drink for any date, going out or staying in.

Whatever you do, whatever you drink, try to have a nice time. Don’t overdo it, don’t over think it, and whatever you do, don’t take it too seriously. Cheers!

February 13, 2016
Why We Celebrate National Beer Day

In 1919, when Prohibition was signed into law, many people assumed that the definition of “intoxicating liquors” would not include low alcohol beer and wine, therefore, making it legal to manufacture and sell. It is likely that if this had been the case, prohibition may have been a more successful endeavor (notice I said MORE Successful, not ENTIRELY successful). However, the general public, and possibly many “dry” supporting politicians, were misled. After the passing of the amendment, the Volstead Act was written, and it defined “intoxicating liquors” as anything higher than .05% alcohol, thus making the standard 3.2% beer illegal. The public was both aghast and disappointed, and President Wilson actually vetoed it, although for separate reasons entirely from making 3.2% beer illegal.

When the depression hit, the people began to push for legalization of 3.2% beer. Many people felt that it was their right to enjoy a drink after a long day of hard labor or looking for jobs. FDR and the democrats used the promise of beer legalization to their advantage in the 1932 election, and were successful. The Cullen-Harrison Act was enacted in Congress on March 21, 1933 and signed by FDR the next day. The act legalized 3.2% abv beer, and wine with similarly low alcohol content. The law went into effect on April 7, 1933. April 7 has henceforth been celebrated as National Beer Day.

April 7, 2015
The rise of the beer can

It’s National Beer Can Appreciation Day, and a celebration is in order! Rising up from its reputation of classlessness, the beer can has made its way into the hearts of minds of the beer elite, proving itself to be the next big thing in craft beer.

Oskar Blues

Most of the craft beer industry has taken a long time to embrace canning beers. The exception to the rule has always been Oskar Blues Brewery in Lyon, Colorado. In 2002, they launched their first packaged beer, Dale’s Pale Ale, in 12 oz cans. From then on, every beer that has come from Oskar Blues has been packaged in cans and kegs, no bottles allowed. They’ve since expanded their can selection, selling some beers in 16 oz tallboys, others in resealable cans with twist-off caps, and most recently a 19.2 oz “stovepipe” can. Their brewpub in Lyon, CO also serves “Crowlers,” which are basically canned growlers.

Benefits of Canning

While no one else takes their canning to this extreme, the trend of canning craft beer has exploded over the last few years. To date, 381 breweries can 1352 beers in the United States. Canning beer has benefits that bottles just don’t offer. They protect beer from light and oxygen, and are airtight and oxygen-free. While dark bottles keep most light out, there is still the potential for light to degrade the taste and scent of the beer, giving it that skunky taste you so often hear about. With bottles, there’s also the potential for oxygen to get under the cap and ruin the taste. With an air tight, properly sealed can, the problem is alleviated.

Beer cans are also ideal for storing. A standard six-pack of 12 oz cans takes up less room than a six-pack of bottles. More room = more beer, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Beer Can Takeover?

It seems unlikely that all craft brewers will completely switch from bottles to cans, but it’s clear that many breweries will add cans to their line ups in some way. This could potentially bring craft beer to people it’s never touched before, and maybe even bring the beer elite and the Big-Three loving masses together.

January 24, 2014